Outdoor activities in Fort William

The Arisaig Highland Games open at 12 noon on Wednesday 30th July and this year the Games will feature a Clan Donald Gathering hosted by the home clan, Clan Ranald. The venue is the scenic location of Traigh Farm, Arisaig with sweeping views across sandy beaches towards the Cuillins of Skye & the Small Isles of Eigg and Rhum. The route for the ceremonial march led by Lochaber Schools Pipe Band has still to be confirmed - but further details will appear on our website in due course. After the parade arrives at the field, the Games will then be officially opened by Ranald, 24th Captain of Clan Ranald. The Games features a full list of traditional events including solo piping, throwing the hammer, tossing the caber, highland dancing, and a range of track and field events including children’s races.Around the arena there will be a variety of side shows, exhibition tents, trade stalls and refreshment stands. And to round it all off, we finish with a traditional cèilidh dance in the village hall in the evening. Admission: Adults £6, Children £3, Parking £2. Family Ticket £20.  Cèilidh Dance £6 (evening).

Thistle Trekking provides guided walking holidays in the UK, including on Ben Nevis, West Highland Way, Cape Wrath Trail and The Skye Trail. All our guided treks give you the luxury of enjoying the walk without having to worry about organising all the details, including accommodation and baggage transfer, or worry about trying to find your way. This means you can just enjoy the walk and let us do all the worrying for you! Our Long Distance Trails Include: • The West Highland Way • The Cape Wrath Trail • The Great Glen Way • The Skye Trail • The East Highland Way Our Mountain Walks and Scrambles Includes: • Ben Nevis • Aonach Eagach Ridge • Skye Cuillin Ridge • The Torridon Mountains Private Guides can be hired for all the above and any additional requirements in the Scottish Mountains including: • Winter Skills Courses • Guided Winter or Summer Munros • Ben Nevis scrambles (e.g. Ledge Route, Tower Ridge) About Us All our staff; walking guides, climbing guides, trek managers and office staff are all qualified Mountain Leaders or Mountaineering Instructors. 

If biking is your thing then lets hang out on our bikes in the Outdoor Capital. Only £95 per person for a day of guided fun and instruction on your bike.

I love Scotland.I love exploring the beautiful mountains & glens of the Scottish Highlands.I love meeting people and sharing my passion. I decided to combine this energy into creating a small friendly guiding company. I offer a highly personalized private and bespoke guiding service for individuals or groups at an affordable price. So whether you want to hike the highest mountains,tackle one of my challenges,backpack through the mountains or just go for a wee walk with the family I  have something for you.

Welcome to Nevis Range - the all seasons outdoor activity mountain centre in Fort William where you can ride the gondola, walk, shop, ski, snowboard, mountain bike or just simply relax… Nevis Range is an all seasons attraction just north of Fort William, offering a scenic Gondola ride to 2150ft beside Ben Nevis. Enjoy the Snowgoose Mountain Restaurant and Bar, or stroll along the mountain footpaths to panoramic viewpoints. Excellent Mountain biking and a winter ski area with full facilities. Open daily 10am – 5pm. Extended hours during July & August 9.30am – 6pm Skiing and Boarding In winter, Nevis Range can provide excellent skiing and snowboarding with ski school, ski patrol and well-pisted and cared for slopes. Views of Ben Nevis from the summit plateaux are superb. Nevis Range updates the latest pictures on our website daily, visit our website so you our WebCams. Mountain Biking The Off Beat Downhill Track will be open from May to mid September each year. Bikes can be carried on the gondola between 10.15am – 3.45pm.(Excluding event/race days, and track maintenance days. Details of closed days are posted on the website or telephone for detail). The Leanachan Forest trails (including the World Cup cross country course, The Witch’ Trail), the lower section of the Off Beat Downhill, and 4-Cross track (without gondola access) are open throughout the year.

We offer fantastic outdoor activities, off road quad biking and 4×4 experiences in one of the most scenic parts of the U.K. With nearly 50,000 acres at our disposal we can offer something for everyone. With one, two and three & half hour trips you will ride through Ancient Caledonian forests, head in to the hills or follow the rivers with their raging rapids and waterfalls, we can even throw in Scottish Baronial castles. We can offer it all in the most stunning setting that Scotland has to offer. We have quad bikes that are suitable for everyone age 12 and above and our 4×4 off road experience is a fantastic way for groups and individuals to explore the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. We cater for Couples, individuals, families, stag and hen parties, corporate events or a group of friends getting together to have a fun day out. All of our activities take place at Ardverikie Estate, better known as Glen Bogle in the BBC drama series, "Monarch of the Glen" and is situated between "Outdoor Capital of the UK and the Cairngorm National Park.

Learn to take better digital photographs on one of our photography courses. Digital photography is a fantastic, well-developed medium for capturing great photographs and video. Its never been easier to take good photos - with a little help and advice. I offer personal One-2-One photography courses, tuition and excursions in and around the Fort William and Ben Nevis area to anyone who wishes to learn more about their digital camera, and who wants to take better photographs. If your interest is in landscape photography or video; portrait photography or outdoor sports photography, I can help you get the best out of your camera. Each field trip can be tailored to suit individual needs. I can arrange 2-3 hour photography field trips for up to 3 persons. If you have a DSLR camera and a tripod, one of my short photography courses could be just for you. If you don't have a DSLR just yet, I can provide advice about these and offer you the chance to take photos with a Canon 5D and a variety of lenses and equipment. Photography Field Trip for 1 person: £85.00 Photography Field Trip for 2 persons: £150.00 Photography Field Trip for 3 persons: £195.00 During the photography field trip I will show you how to control camera aperture and shutter speeds; help you understand how to work with depth of field; understand working with different focal length lenses; show you how to improve photo composition; demonstrate how to tweak your photographs afterwards. I can provide Gift Vouchers if you would like to gift a Photography Field Trip for a friend or relative. If you would like to book B&B or self catering in a superb photo location, and at the same time as your field trip, I can provide this at our well established Woodside B&B Fort William. I can offer two ensuite bedrooms, a personalised breakfast of your choice and private, secluded parking - plus a view of Ben Nevis to die for...

Rockhopper Sea Kayaking is based near Fort William on the West Coast of Scotland. We offer half, full or multi-day kayak trips through some of the most spectacular coastal, mountain and island scenery in Scotland. This area is rich in wildlife and you may be lucky enough to encounter seals, dolphins, porpoise, otters, a huge variety of coastal birds or perhaps even the white tailed sea eagle. Whether new to the sport or an experienced sea kayaker, we will provide an unforgettable experience. Our Sea kayaks are long, stable and easy to control and we have large double kayaks available for youngsters or those who are a little apprehensive. All equipment is provided by us. Families, groups and individuals are all welcome. We also provide a canoe hire service and equipment.

The inaugural hill race on Beinn Resipol starts at Resipole Farm Holiday Park on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula on Saturday 19th September at 1.00pm. Details of how to take part can be found on the benresrace.wordpress.com website. The race sets off from Loch Sunart and meanders its way up and down the 845 m summit with a total distance of 7.3 miles. Enjoy stunning views of Lochs Shiel and Sunart, the Small Isles, Mull and Skye. Why not make a weekend of it and stay in the Resipole campsite. The campsite are holding the Resipole Fiddle Fest from 17-21 September so there will be a great buzz about the place.  Profits made from the race are going towards a local well-being and mental health charity, Ewen’s Room. Ewen’s Room works across the Ardnamurchan Peninsula to raise awareness of mental health challenges and brings together the community and people who may feel isolated. Entry:  Race HQ will be based in the Resipole campsite next to the start/finish of the race. You can enter the race now through Entry Central or on the day. Entries are £5. Entries are restricted to 100 places so please book online to avoid disappointment.

Fort William's Indoor Climbing Centre! We have a bouldering wall suitable for absolute beginners up to climbers pushing our V7+ circuit. The roped climbing wall is also available for competent climbers or anyone under the instruction of our notoriously friendly staff. On site we also have an environmentally friendly cafe serving great coffee with organic milk in compostable cups. Or why not try one of our jacket potatoes, fully loaded waffles or real fruit smoothies. We open from 10am-10pm on weekdays and 10am-8pm on weekends. https://www.threewisemonkeysclimbing.com Regular climbers can turn up, sign a form and get climbing straight away. Beginners have the option of going bouldering after a quick induction, or booking onto an instructed course to use the roped climbing wall.

Woodland and coastal survival experiences in Lochaber - an adventurous family or small group outdoor activity, that can be tailored for you. Try your hand at bushcraft, survival skills, foraging, navigation, and looking for wildlife tracks and signs, with the guidance of Leon Durbin - an experienced Bushcraft Instructor and Ecologist. Learn wilderness survival skills in the beautiful ancient woodlands, hills and coastlines of the West Coast, and gain a unique insight into these stunning wild places, all within easy reach of Fort William. Learn how to make fire, find water, shelter and food - how would you manage if you were stranded in the wild? Learn how to use sharp tools safely. Catch fish and forage for wild food, cook on the campfire on a deserted sandy beach looking out across the ocean to the small isles! We take an environmentally responsible approach, based on a sound ecological understanding. All our courses give you hands-on experience and let you think things through for yourself, providing expert guidance when needed. The skills we teach are empowering, practical and great fun, and they may even save your life! We welcome enquiries from individuals, small groups and organisations and we regularly provide bespoke experiences for families on holiday, stag groups and corporate teams. We are also happy to run courses in other parts of Scotland. If you would like to be added to our mailing list please visit our website and fill in the contact form on our website. www.wildwoodbushcraft.com You can also find us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Wildwood.Bushcraft and twitter: http://twitter.com/WildwoodUK

GLENGARRY HIGHLAND GAMES usually the first Saturday in July - please confirm details with the organisers. Invergarry Shinty Field 1pm-5pm A traditional Highland Games with Heavy, Track and Field events, Hill Race and childrens races. Tug'o'war, Highland Dancing and the Lochaber Pipe Band. Childrens Mini Games, Pet Dog Show and many trade/ side stalls and attractions. Adult £5.00 Child 50p Concessions £2.00 FREE PARKING Contact; Mrs Alison Donald 01809 511260 [email protected] The Glengarry Highland Games has history going back to the events held by the 15th Chieftain of the Clan MacDonnell in the late 18th and early 19th century. He was the last of the traditional Chieftains before the Estate was sold to the Ellice family and there is evidence of the Games continuing till after the second World War in various locations round Invergarry. These early Games placed great emphasis on feats of strength, and one event provoked criticism when contestants had to tear the limbs off a dead cow! The modern Games date from 1972 and are forever linked with the names of Fred MacAllan, Alistair and Sandy MacRae, Jimmy Paterson and others who revived the Games, and the local laird, Russell Ellice who donated the present field to the community. Glengarry Shinty Club was revived at the same time and they and their Ladies Teams have gone from strength to strength, many of who help with the Games, and afterwards there are Shinty matches including the McBain cup. The Games are supported by many businesses working in the area and proceeds go to local charities. The W.R.I provide teas for the committee and guest. The Glengarry Heritage Centre, located in the Community Hall can provide more History of the Games and the area of Glengarry.